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Yemen

Young people in Yemen are increasingly vocal in their calls for more democracy and respect for human rights. They’re facing many problems in their strife-torn country: violence, repression, rampant corruption, 73% youth unemployment, the world’s highest inequality between men and women. Freedom of speech, the press and religion are all restricted.

Facts

Population: 25.6m

Official language: Arabic

Freedom of the Press score: not free (score 79)

Politics

President Saleh ceded power in 2011, after months of protest, Abdradduh Manseh Hadi won presidential elections in 2012

Weak government institutions, tribal leaders are the informal powers

Separatist movement in the South

Social/Economic

Yemen is the poorest country in the region, very weak economy, youth unemployment rates are very high, high illiteracy rates

Al Qaida controls part of the country, including some big cities

Ethnic and religious tensions

Media

Repressive media laws forbid publication of any material that undermines public morality, control over print and broadcast media is strong, although officially censorship doesn’t occur

State media are dominant, but private media are permitted, systematic violence against (critical) journalists

Poor infrastructure, around 16% of the population has access to internet, about 2 % of the population uses social media (Facebook), mobile penetration is 40%

Testimonials

Yemen Youth Panel Shaima

"It is pity that Yemeni society is still hesitant about women working in media under the pretext of preserving traditional values. Media organisations like RNW should actively get involved to break this vicious circle."

Yemen Youth Panel Hilmi Hasan

"This debate organised by RNW is unique and rare in Aden, we would love to see more of them. As for the security situation in the country, the government seems to be too much busy with national dialogue that it has forgotten that keeping law and order is its main responsibility. Media should also play a better role in this regard."